Chrystmasse Of Olde

Summary


"Chrystmasse Of Olde" is a short Christmas poem by Eugene Field written in archaic medieval English, invoking the spirit of ancient carol traditions. Addressed to "Chrysten gentil men" wherever they may roam — at sea, in court, or in foreign lands — it recounts the shepherds witnessing a blazing sky and singing stars at the birth of Jesus. The poem's central plea is urgent and tender: set aside tournament, battle, and bloodshed on this sacred morning, and let deeds of peace fill Christendom instead.

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God rest you, Chrysten gentil men,
Wherever you may be,—
God rest you all in fielde or hall,
Or on ye stormy sea;
For on this morn oure Chryst is born
That saveth you and me.

Last night ye shepherds in ye east
Saw many a wondrous thing;
Ye sky last night flamed passing bright
Whiles that ye stars did sing,
And angels came to bless ye name
Of Jesus Chryst, oure Kyng.

Three shepherds gaze in awe at a blazing night sky in the poem Chrystmasse Of Olde by Eugene Field.

God rest you, Chrysten gentil men,
Faring where’er you may;
In noblesse court do thou no sport,
In tournament no playe,
In paynim lands hold thou thy hands
From bloudy works this daye.

But thinking on ye gentil Lord
That died upon ye tree,
Let troublings cease and deeds of peace
Abound in Chrystantie;
For on this morn ye Chryst is born
That saveth you and me.

Credits

Eugene Field was a beloved 19th-century American poet and journalist, often called the "Poet of Childhood" for his warm, whimsical verse. "Chrystmasse Of Olde" shows a different register of his talent, deliberately imitating the archaic diction of medieval carols to evoke a sense of ancient, reverent celebration.